Her Grace the Gaddan - Sardar Sobha Singh

As scheduled we are to go for an excursion to ManiMahesh Lake on 20th of August I just tries to get into the details of region I am going to visit. Shiv Bhumi or Bharmour is the mother land of one of the Shivas most adorned people the Gaddi. SO pure and so simple that their innocence and charm inspired Sardar Sobha Singh to create the world famous masterpiece Her Grace the Gaddan.

‘Her Grace the Gaddan’ was inspired by the local color of Himachal Pradesh in Northern India. The artist, Sobha Singh, lived and worked in Andretta, a small artistic hub in Himachal Pradesh for 38 years, creating hundreds upon hundreds of paintings.Although Singh’s artwork mostly depict Sikh luminaries, his eye was also moved by the ‘common folk.’ Works that fall into the latter category include the ‘Kangra Brides’ series and ‘Her Grace the Gaddan,’A 'gaddan' refers to a female member of the Gabbi tribe that occupies Western Himachal Pradesh. The Gaddi people mind livestock such as sheep and goats to sustain themselves. These nomadic shepherds herd their flocks with the aid of trained sheep dogs.Today, prints of ‘Her Grace the Gaddan’ can be found everywhere – from the walls of executive boardrooms to vacation accommodations worldwide. Its popularity can be credited to its special appeal; the painting evokes tenderness and heralds simple livelihoods.